DE BROUWER blt Harland & Wolff, Belfast6.53-2.1.59 M 9042.1.59-66 F 904K 22.9.42 L 20.4.43 building completion 20.8.4342-49 SPANKER J 226 Royal Navy (19 MSF – 1944 detached for a few months to the 12 MSF)Left Malta and the Mediterranean in May 1946 and arrived at Chatham on 6.6.In July she re-commissioned (Lt Cdr G.R. Paterson RN)With her sistership ROSARIO (also from the 19th MSF), SPANKER was allocated to the service of VACBNFG (Vice-Admiral Commanding British Naval Forces Germany) and proceeded to Cuxhaven where she was to be based. From Cuxhaven they were in charge of 21 German coastal minesweepers engaged in clearing German minefields in the North Sea. Most of the work was undertaken from Flekkefjord in Norway.During this period an interesting assignment befel SPANKER. On 26.12.1946 she was sent from Cuxhaven to the Borkum Roads to pick up a convoy of two ships, the liner MONTE PASCOAL and the ?? (SCHWABENLAND ??) which was full of German Warfare bombs and shells to take them through the Kiel canal into the Baltic. There they were scuttled. SPANKER returned to Copenhagen for the New Year festivities.In April 1947 SPANKER was relieved of duties at Cuxhaven and was sent to Port Edgar, the M/S base on the Firth of Forth. There she was the Senior Officer ship.18.12.1947 allocated to Reserve at Port Edgar49-53 SPANKER M 226 Royal NavyApril 1952 was taken out of Reserve and went to Messrs Brigham and Cowan at Hull to be refitted25.2.53 sold to Belgium2.3.53 tr. at Hull53-66 DE BROUWER Belgian Navy1.6.55-5.10.55 oceanographic cruise in Congo1960-61 fishery protection vesselMarch-Sept. 1962 decom. ZeebruggeNov. 1962-May 1963 idemAug. 1963-66 idem1.4.66 artillery removed66-67 COQUE F 2 hulk at Zeebruges5.12.67 sold for BU to Van Heyghen, Ghent (2.066.000)9.1.68 arrived Ghentnote: tropicalised for service in African waters.

ARLON M 915 blt Hodgdon Bros, Goudy & Stevens, East BoothbayOrdered 30.6.51K 10.9.51 L 31.1.53 completed 30.10.53 del 5.11.5351-53 AMS 104 US Navy10.11.53 to Belgium19.3.54 arrived Ostend53-58 M 915 Belgian Navy58-66 ARLON Belgian Navy23 May 1966 to Norway66-95 ALTA M 314 Norwegian Navydecom 23.5.96 at 1435 hrs in Oslo on the minute 30 years after the Norwegian flag was hoisted for the first time and tr. on the same day to “Fartoylaget Alta”Still in the list of the Navy on 24.3.99 (owned by the Military museum in Oslo, and the crew consists of former officers and veterans). The ship is fully equipped, and the maintenance is taken care of by the crew (Fartoylaget KNM ALTA, Postboks 607, Sentrum, 0106 Oslo –http://www.knmalta.org.)Note: was still fully operational on 24.3.2002 !Commander Hans Borti Salvesen, then Lt.cmdr Bjorn Simonsen (1998-summer 2001) then Captain Sven-Erik Eriksen (2001-SE 24.3.2002).The ALTA Society (Fartoylaget Alta) was established on 12.6.1995. Its goal was to save HNMS ALTA from the breaker’s yardM 314 is permanently berthed at the Oslo Cultural Centre at Nordre Akershuskai (Northern Akershus Quay).

MMS 79 blt George Forbes, Peterhead (Scotland)Ordered 5.9.40 completed 21.9.41 C 22.9.41Com: Nore Command ( Dover)41-46 MMS 79 Royal Navy9.10.45 commissioned with Belgian crew1.2.46 enlisted Belgian Navy46-46 MMS 79 Belgian Navy8.5.46 back to Royal Navy46-49 MMS 79 Royal Navy49-54 MMS 1579 Royal Navy (Confidential Admiralty Fleet Order n°54/49 from 25.2.49)11.7.54-59 MMS 1579 RNVR, Hong KongMarch 1959 sold to Chang Wong, Kings Road, Hong Kong for BU.In late 1951, six MMS’s were brought out of reserve to be refitted at Gravesend, for service in the Korean war and to be based at Singapore.The squadron, as it was called, consisted of: MMS’s 1556 (ex 56), 1536 (ex 36), 1579 (ex 79) and half-leader, 1786 (ex 286), 1584 (ex 84) and 1797 (ex 297). Following the refit, the ships set sail on 28.1.52. Cdt 1579 was Lt Nelson Curryer.1579’s engine (8 cyl Crossley 2 stroke) would not start, they managed to get away an hour later, heading for Harwich and testing the guns en route.Minor engine troubles persisted, plus a problem with jammed steering which resulted in the need for a tow from a Harwich tug. After repairs and trials left on 27.2 and arrived Portland 29.2.The squadron set off on 4.3 escorted by the frigate HMS WIDEMOUTH BAY, having rendezvoused at Polperro, in Cornwall.Steering gave up again, then troubles with the electrics. Squadron sheltered on Spanish Coast at Ria del Barquero due to bad weather.Arrived Gibraltar 11.317.3 left to Malta. Due to further troubles, plus a force 8-9 gale, the squadron headed for Bizerta after two days at sea.After repairs left 20.3 and arrived at Malta after 24h steaming.After a great deal of discussion about the defects on MMS 1579, spares now being required, it was decided that the 5 other ships should sail and leave 1579 follow after the monsoon season. Four of these arrived in Aden on 27.4. MMS 1579 was dogged with further troubles, but finally made the passage to the Far East spending her last days in China.Etait avec les MMS 1556 (ex 56), 1632 (ex 132) et 1654 (ex 154) le dernier des MMS en service dans la RN.

MMS 189 (M 189) blt Wilson Noble, Frazerborough (Scotland)L 14.5.42 C 12.8.42Based at Portsmouth42-46 MMS 189 Royal NavyRecorded as having rescued the 7 survivors of a tug which had been sunk as the result of a direct hit from an “E” boat torpedo during Normandy landing (probably American PARTRIDGE or British SESAME -700/44-, both lost on 11.6).(partie de la 101 Fl. Employed on Mulbery escort duties during Operation Overlord)8.5.46 enlisted Belgian Navy46-50 MMS 189 Belgian Navy50-54 M 943 Belgian Navy7.1954 for disposal2.7.55 sold Ostend for BU to A.R. Challis, London

MMS 191 (M 191) blt MacDuff Eng. & SB., MacDuff (Banff) (Scotland)L 2.5.42 C 27.7.4242-46 MMS 191 Royal Navy (Pt N° FYPt 191 ?)based at Harwich 118th M/S Fl.7.42 com. with Anglo-Belgian crew8.1943 Belgian crew only1.2.46 enlisted Belgian Navy7.1946 transferred46-50 MMS 191 Belgian Navy50-55 M 944 Belgian NavyEn 1954 (date exacte ?) quitte Ostende pour Rotterdam en compagnie du M 945 pour degaussingS’échoue au Waalhaven, Rotterdam. Remis à flot à marée haute avec l’aide du M 945Hélice endommagée. Rentre à Ostende à la remorque du M 945 via le Hollands Diep, le Krammer Volkerak, l’Oosterschelde, le canal de Zuid Beveland, l’Escaut et Flessingue (trajet en mer trop risqué !) 8.55 back to Royal Navy18.10.55 sold for BU to G.F. Finnis, Chatham but not broken up.1955-1964 ???64-79 SYRINGA A.G. Swan (who resided aboard her for fifteen years until 1979)Taken over by MMS Trust (Founder/Secretary: The Rev. Michael.J. Melvin, B.E.M., 69 Seymours, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5NQ + 13.10.95) and removed to Stoke Creek, Isle of Grain (discovered in Otterham Quay, River Medway).To be restored in a scheme to provide a floating training and holiday base for the Sea Cadet Corps, Harlow and to stand as a memorial to those who sailed in the MMS.Received a Ford-supported Conservation Award of 1000 £ in October 1982 through the BBC (David Bellamy,TV Studios, Pebble Mill, Birmingham) who made a film about the ship. Filming took place in July 1982 and screened on 1.12.82She will be numbered in her original role MMS 191.1994 still under repair (recaulking and painting of the hull and almost a compete relay of the quarter deck..)Oct 1995 to be taken over by the Harwich Borough Heritage Museum (chairman: Mr Oswald Denton-Jones) . Is to be put into DD at Chatham where a complete restoration can be carried out. Later is to sail her into Harwich where a berth is awaiting her arrival. Pas réalisé (musée n’a en fait jamais existé !!).12.12.97 ownership taken over by the Kent Wild Fowling and Conservation Association which in view of the danger she posed, had arranged to dispose of her by having her burnt. This came to the attention of a young man named Ian Hills (Oak and Stone Merchants, 2 Queens Cottage, Molash, Canterbury, Kent CT4 8HJ) whose business involves making furniture and flooring from reclaimed oak. He wasted no time in getting in touch with the Association. The result of which, he and his colleague Richard Wantling are already well on the way to salvaging what remains of MMS 191 (December 1999).Wood of the boat will maybe be used to build cabinets and shelving of the Guildhall Museum, Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey.(Queenborough was for sometime a Minesweeper Base. Part of the Museum is dedicated to these craft and the role they played).

Notes : -most of those MMS were enlisted in the 118 M/S flotilla during WW II (Royal Navy Belgian Section).118th M/S Fl (MMS 43, 77, 112, 188,191 and 193) arrived in Belgium and took on the task of clearing most of the remaining mine infested areas of water around the Belgian coastline. MMS 77 was replaced by MMS 75 and 79 at a later date.

-in July 1954 approval was given for the disposal of 6 MMS which has been on loan to the Belgian Navy since 1946 and which were now beyond economical repair. It was intended that the vessels should be sold as they lay, after the remove of certain items which were required for further Royal Navy service. All craft disposed of by sale to A.R. Challis, London on 2.7.55.

M 940 see MMS 182

M 941 see MMS 187

M 942 see MMS 188

M 943 see MMS 189

M 944 see MMS 191

M 945 see MMS 193

M 946 see MMS 266

M 947 see MMS 1020

NEW CLASS PROJECTED

The Belgian Government signed a contract on 30.4.85 with the Tijdelijke Vereniging Mercantile-Béliard, Boelwerf, ACEC, for the study of a new type of minesweepers.Class of 17 projected, 1st to enter service 1992.(Etudes avec les marines hollandaise et norvégienne)Cancelled.

PRINCESSE MARIE JOSE blt 1922/23 J. Cockerill, Hoboken (hull 579)1821grt 837nrtdim: 110,61 x 12,95 x 3,02mEngines : Parsons turbines 14000 HP speed 23 knTrial speed : 26 knL 19.09.22 à 15 h IS 19.6.23 (ordered 1921)Boilers equipped for burning coal or gasoil22-40 PRINCESSE MARIE JOSE Administration de la Marine (Ostend-Dover line), Ostend Be/Aug 1926: leaving Dover, taken under machine gun fire by soldiers exercising on the cliffs; one female passenger wounded and one of the funnels pierced by bullets.30.10 – 17.11.26: carried the Royal Family to Sweden for the wedding of Prince Léopold with Princess Astrid.3.12.1930: while heading for Antwerp for repairs, collided in fog off Austruweel (River Scheldt ) with Estonian cargo LINDA. Both vessels damaged.1931: funnel cowls removed and tops painted black.1.4.1933: collided in fog with STAD ANTWERPEN in the North Sea. Both vessels damaged.June 1935: engines overhaul at AntwerpNight 07/08.08.37 off Dunkirk, rammed by British cargo CLAN MAC NEIL and holed on the port side just behind the bridge. Was beached at Dunkirk (outer harbour)09.08.37: hole patched for refloating10.08.37: refloated11.08.37: towed to Antwerp by Belgian tugs GOLIATH and ZEEHOND to be repaired.10.09.39: made the first Ostend-Folkestone crossing, Dover being closed for civilian traffic.WW II: 17.05.40: left Ostend for Folkestone (Cdt R. Verbiest) with refugees (together with PRINSES ASTRID and PRINCE CHARLES).11-16.6.1940: took part in the evacuation of allied troops from Le Havre, Cherbourg and St. Malo. (7 crossings)16.6.1940: last ship to leave St Malo01.06.40: req.1.06-17.09.40: detached by MOWT as passenger ship on coastal lines (British) (Lt Petitjean)29.6.1940: laid up at Southampton6.9.1940 left Southampton for Belfast and then Gareloch18.09.40: transferred to the Navy18.9.40 –03.03.41: converted by Harland & Wolff at Govan into training ship for A/S Warfare. 03.03.41: commissioned (Captain J.N. Tait) and renamed SOUTHERN ISLES1941: renamed NEMESIS11.3.1941-3.1943: based at CampbeltownMid March 1943: at Greenock awaiting conversionJul – Sept 1943 converted into tender by Henderson, Glasgow25.9.1943: left for Reykjavik but due to the bad state of the engines, taken in tow and arrived at Loch Ewe on 4.10 . From there to Iceland.06.10.43: arrived at the Iceland Naval Base and renamed HMS BALDUR (accommodation ship) (Cdr J.M.F. Kent – 1944: Cdr H.C. Pearson)04.06.45: renamed HMS NEMESIS when leaving that base.15.6.1945: in the Clyde12.07.45: paid off15.1.46 back to ownersrefitted as floating barrack by Cockerill at Antwerp. Renamed PRINCESSE MARIE JOSE1946-Jun 1947 : used as floating barrack by the ZM/FN at Ostend (8.46-47 depot ship)June 1947: sold for BU06.06.47 arrived Bruges.BU by Van Heygen Frères

BENGA (2) blt Niel (Belgium) 1955 (Scheepswerf De Wachter ?)55-60 BENGA Belgian Navy1960 left in CongoStk 1961Used by the Congolese customs on the Zaire. Last seen in 1988 in Boma where she was half sunk.Note: small launch for Congo base